In January this year following blood tests it was discovered that my dad had signs of cancerous cells. Following further tests it was confirmed that he had a cancerous tumour in his bladder.
The treatment was meant to be straight forward. Radiotherapy and an op if necessary. As the months went by he had appointments which were just questions, questions and more questions. Eventually it got to the stage where chemotherapy was discussed to avoid the cancer spreading, though at that point surprisingly it hadn't.
Unfortunately the tumour eventually grew cutting off his kidneys and causing severe damage. This meant chemo was out of the question and eventually radiotherapy was given. The treatment wouldn't be a cure just give him more time.
But life not being as lucky as we sometimes hope he kept having trouble with his kidneys - infections, blockages and even developing an infection from his catheter. On one occasion the doctor said if my mum hadnt of mentioned his symptoms he would've gone home that week and died.
In late October he was rushed to hospital with excrutiating pains in his back and it was discovered his kidneys were in trouble and twice the size they should be. (We had thought his tiredness and lack of appetite was due to having his radiotherapy.)
After being taken in to A&E he was admited to ICU where we were told that he was being kept alive by the machines, scans showed a possibility of the cancer in his liver and spine and my mum may have to make the decision on whether to allow them to euthanise him. He had also been marked as DNR.
Whilst everyone was out trick or treating I was preparing myself for the worst. But my dad being the fighter he is surprised us all and pulled through. Just over a week later he was in the main ward sitting up talking as normal. Nothing more had been mentioned about the cancer definitely being in his liver and bones so we all hoped for the best and awaited his recovery to come home.
Unfortunately though in the last few weeks he started to go down hill again and lost even more weight. It was discovered this Monday that he now has pneumonia. He has been on antibiotics since Sunday (as they initially thought it was a chest infection) but it seems this time they aren't working.
To top it off they discovered swelling in his arm which appears to be from a cancerous tumour on the bone.
The doctors were giving the antibiotics until this evening and if there was still no improvement they would take him off them and then just make him comfortable and as pain free as possible.
I don't know what's worse to see; my dad constantly fidgeting and trying to stop the nurses from seeing to him or how he is now, laying still and drifting in and out of sleep
Months ago I was told to prepare myself for this and I thought I had but now the time appears to be here and I'm not ready at all. I keep hoping he will surprise us all and recover but it's not looking likely. I just dont know what to do. I am seeing him as much as possible but it doesn't feel enough.
I don't really have a point to this thread (other than to cherish each day you have with your loved ones.)
I guess I just needed to get it out in the open.
One thing I would I like to say is, despite two nurses that we've met, everyone else seeing to my dad at RSC Hospital have been nothing but kind, caring and compassionate. I have nothing but gratitude for them for helping to ease things as much as possible. Asking if they can get us anything, asking us how we are etc.
The treatment was meant to be straight forward. Radiotherapy and an op if necessary. As the months went by he had appointments which were just questions, questions and more questions. Eventually it got to the stage where chemotherapy was discussed to avoid the cancer spreading, though at that point surprisingly it hadn't.
Unfortunately the tumour eventually grew cutting off his kidneys and causing severe damage. This meant chemo was out of the question and eventually radiotherapy was given. The treatment wouldn't be a cure just give him more time.
But life not being as lucky as we sometimes hope he kept having trouble with his kidneys - infections, blockages and even developing an infection from his catheter. On one occasion the doctor said if my mum hadnt of mentioned his symptoms he would've gone home that week and died.
In late October he was rushed to hospital with excrutiating pains in his back and it was discovered his kidneys were in trouble and twice the size they should be. (We had thought his tiredness and lack of appetite was due to having his radiotherapy.)
After being taken in to A&E he was admited to ICU where we were told that he was being kept alive by the machines, scans showed a possibility of the cancer in his liver and spine and my mum may have to make the decision on whether to allow them to euthanise him. He had also been marked as DNR.
Whilst everyone was out trick or treating I was preparing myself for the worst. But my dad being the fighter he is surprised us all and pulled through. Just over a week later he was in the main ward sitting up talking as normal. Nothing more had been mentioned about the cancer definitely being in his liver and bones so we all hoped for the best and awaited his recovery to come home.
Unfortunately though in the last few weeks he started to go down hill again and lost even more weight. It was discovered this Monday that he now has pneumonia. He has been on antibiotics since Sunday (as they initially thought it was a chest infection) but it seems this time they aren't working.
To top it off they discovered swelling in his arm which appears to be from a cancerous tumour on the bone.
The doctors were giving the antibiotics until this evening and if there was still no improvement they would take him off them and then just make him comfortable and as pain free as possible.
I don't know what's worse to see; my dad constantly fidgeting and trying to stop the nurses from seeing to him or how he is now, laying still and drifting in and out of sleep
Months ago I was told to prepare myself for this and I thought I had but now the time appears to be here and I'm not ready at all. I keep hoping he will surprise us all and recover but it's not looking likely. I just dont know what to do. I am seeing him as much as possible but it doesn't feel enough.
I don't really have a point to this thread (other than to cherish each day you have with your loved ones.)
I guess I just needed to get it out in the open.
One thing I would I like to say is, despite two nurses that we've met, everyone else seeing to my dad at RSC Hospital have been nothing but kind, caring and compassionate. I have nothing but gratitude for them for helping to ease things as much as possible. Asking if they can get us anything, asking us how we are etc.
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